French Infantry
These 1940 French figures are from the new 20mm Blitz range by Battlefield Miniatures. The moment I set eyes on them, I knew I had to get some, and when they arrived in the post, I was not disappointed at all. I am quite glad that Stuart Clarke from Battlefield has put photos of my miniatures on his website: http://www.battlefieldminiatures.co.uk/blitzfrenchgallery.htm
Measuring exactly 20mm from sole to eye, these guys can stand head to head with AB figures. The sculpting of the equipment, the proportions and the poses are also on par with Tony Barton's great work for 20mm WWII figures. The only thing it loses on is the facial and hand sculpts, which are quite basic. These are still undoubtedly the best 1940 French figures around in this scale.
I used Vallejo's English Uniform to paint the woolen long coats and uniforms of the troops and Khaki for the officer's uniform. I hope that I have painted the officer's chevrons in the right places. I could not find any photographic examples of field officers. I do not know what colours the canes often carried by French officers were and painted mine in dark yellow.
The helmets, bags, rifles and uniforms are sculpted very nicely. I am quite happy that they sculpted rifle slings.
Nowfel Leulliot who did the http://france1940.free.fr/ website has commented uniforms are too light and refered me to http://worldwar2.free.fr/insignesfrance.html for rank references. Thanks Nowfel.
Some more French infantry, this time led by a Sergeant.
The FM light machine gun has been beautifully and accurately sculpted. The second gunner is only armed with a pistol.
The Sergeant chevron has been sculpted onto the uniform.
The Hotchkiss HMG is quite accurately sculpted. Slightly out of scale but it makes it robust for wargaming. The assistant gunner is a very nice crotching position with the ammo boxes.
The radioman comes with a sculpted base with his radio set and some ammo box "chairs". These two figures are interacting nicely, the officer passing some written orders to the signaler.
© 2004-2006 Michael Sng Woei Shyong. All Rights Reserved.